Oregon landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits may owe up to 2× the deposit amount. Learn your rights under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300.
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Check My DepositIf your Oregon landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to recover up to 2 times the amount wrongfully kept under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16). This is on top of recovering the deposit itself. The multiplier is the penalty for the violation. Twice the amount wrongfully withheld; landlord forfeits deduction rights if no itemization.
No intent required. Miss the 31-day deadline and the 2x cap can apply under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16). Your landlord cannot avoid it by claiming forgetfulness or confusion.
Penalty
If your Oregon landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to recover up to 2 times the amount wrongfully kept under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16). This is on top of recovering the deposit itself. The multiplier is the penalty for the violation. Twice the amount wrongfully withheld; landlord forfeits deduction rights if no itemization.
No intent required. Miss the 31-day deadline and the 2x cap can apply under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16). Your landlord cannot avoid it by claiming forgetfulness or confusion.
Example
Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16)
To recover penalties under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16), you generally need to: document the move-out date and the missed deadline, send a written demand letter citing the statute, and, if necessary, file in Oregon small claims court (up to $10,000).
A demand letter that specifically cites Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16) and calculates the potential Up to 2x your deposit often prompts landlords to settle without going to court.
Questions
Your Oregon landlord has 31 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300.
If your landlord misses the 31-day deadline, you may be entitled to up to 2× the amount wrongfully withheld under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16). This penalty applies automatically. You don't need to prove intent.
No. Oregon law under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
Under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16), you may recover up to 2x the deposit amount wrongfully withheld. This is automatic. No need to prove intent.
No. The penalty under Or. Rev. Stat. §90.300(16) applies automatically when the 31-day deadline is missed. Intent is not required.
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